Soft-baked molasses cookies

There is something about molasses-based cookies around Christmas. Those flavors, combined with the festive spirit, as the perfect combination. There are plenty of molasses-flavored cookies out there, such as gingerbread cookies, but each one is unique in its own way. Soft-baked molasses cookies are fairly similar in flavor, however, their soft texture and sugar-coated outside make them a completely different cookie. This recipe was shared by a friend of mine and has quickly become a family favorite.

Soft-baked Molasses Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup molasses
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 3 1/2-4 cups flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
2. Cream together butter, sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy.
3. Add molasses and stir well.
4. In a small bowl, mix together boiling water and 3 teaspoons of baking soda. Add into the butter mixture and stir. This will make it fairly watery. Add in vanilla extract.
5. In a separate large bowl, combine all dry ingredients – ensuring that you only add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture. The dough should be sticky but workable. If it is too sticky, add in a little more flour.
6. Roll dough into golf-ball-sized balls. Roll in sugar and then place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

What cookies do you love to make during the holidays?